Post by MiloticSoldier on Oct 3, 2006 16:06:21 GMT -5

PS/MS.20 Jimmy Dang10 / 03 / 06 8-802

“Thank You M’am” and “Six Rows of Pompons”

Stories can be completely different, yet same. The two stories “Thank You M’am” by Langston Hughes and “Six Rows of Pompons” by Toshio Mori provide an excellent example of this. Both are exceptionally similar in theme and characters. However, cultures from the two stories are completely different.

Firstly, two stories’ themes are similar in a noticeable way. Both themes revolve around discipline. The two-troublemaking boys Roger and Tatsuo respectively from “Thank You M’am” and “Six Rows of Pompons” were being nuisances and were usually neglected. The mentors Ms. Jones and Uncle Hiroshi, respectively, on the other hand, did not turn their backs on them. Instead, they disciplined them. This helped them learn important values and obedience. The themes are very alike with the same idea.

Secondly, the main characters of these two stories are very alike. In “Thank You M’am,” Roger is known as a young boy who apparently steals purses. Tatsuo from “Six Rows of Pompons” is mischievous; he always tampers with objects. “Kind” people, Ms. Jones and Uncle Hiroshi, discipline them both correspondingly. The two characters also have unique ways of discipline. Ms. Jones earns Roger’s trust, while on the other hand, Uncle Hiroshi teaches Tatsuo hard work and diligence.

Even though these two short stories have noticeable similarities, the cultures are completely different. For “Thank You M’am,” the setting is urban. It is most likely a ghetto neighborhood also. In “Six Rows of Pompons,” the setting is a farm like community. The cultures are different too. Correspondingly, one is an African American; the other is a Japanese one. This makes the scenery completely different.